Cyber crimes will be an issue for future generations: CM

Kochi: Chief Minister Shri Oommen Chandy said that cyber crimes would be a big threat for future generations as per the current trends. He urged the police personnel to gear up their resources to tackle this growing menace effectively. The Chief Minister said this at the valedictory function of the International Cyber Security & Policing Conference – c0c0n 2014, that was held in Kochi on August 22-23, 2014.

The CM also said that we need to be well-prepared to tackle cyber crimes and that the Government of Kerala and Kerala Police would sustain its efforts for ensuring law and order in the society and will also strengthen vigil against cyber crimes.

Kerala is estimated to have nearly 4 lakh mobile phones and nowadays financial transactions are also done through them. This again has given rise to situations for cyber crimes. Criminals around the world are now resorting to cyber crimes and mobile phones are fast emerging as a handy tool for such crimes, he added.

Earlier, c0c0n 2014 was formally inaugurated by the Minister for Home & Vigilance, Shri Ramesh Chennithala. He said that the State cabinet has approved the decision of setting up a state-of-the-art ‘Cyberdome’ centre at the Technopark in Trivandrum. This would help prevent cyber attacks and terrorism that would destabilise national integrity. The government order of the same will be issued soon and this major initiative will be set up in a Public Private Participation (PPP) model.

In his keynote address during the inaugural session, former President of India, Shri A P J Abdul Kalam called for a more aggressive approach towards cyber security in the country. “Offensive and defensive cyber capabilities are as important for nations to build as the nuclear capabilities. We will soon have only two types of nations – those with cyber offensive and defensive capabilities and those without”. He also called for upgrading India’s cyber security technology, while also investing in education for cyber security.

Police officers and cyber security experts from different countries took part in the two-day conference organised by the Kerala police, Information Security Research Association (ISRA) and the Society for the Policing of Cyberspace (POLCYB).